The Proto-Berber consonant "*z" comes out differently in different dialects, a development that is to some degree reflected in the dialect names.

Unlike the fox, which is known by a host of dialect names, the otter has few aliases.

This originates from the city's dialect name, Brummagem, which may in turn have been derived from one of the city's earlier names, 'Bromwicham'.

When a new school was set up in Bishan, it was decided that the old dialect name "Kong Yong" be used.

Some, as in the case of those whose last name is "Magboo," retain the original dialect name.

The dialect names are as follows (with the corresponding Hausa names in brackets):

The name Nee Soon was one of those changed at the height of the campaign to replace dialect names with Mandarin ones.

Most dialect names simply are the negation words of the respective dialects (cf. ledo above).

If one has a Cantonese or other Chinese dialect name, the Mandarin pinyin takes priority over it in order listing.

There are various ways to spell the dialect names.